Venice Day Trip from Rome: High-Speed Train & Waterbus

Fourteen hours to cross Italy by train, float the Grand Canal, and drink cicchetti at dusk

You travel by high-speed train from Rome to Venice in the morning, take a waterbus through the Grand Canal, explore St. Mark's Square and the Bridge of Sighs on your own, and share a Venetian aperitivo with your group before the return train. The whole day runs about 14 hours, with your tour leader handling the logistics at both stations so you don't have to.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Piazzale Roma30m · entry included
2. St. Mark's Basilica1h
3. Bridge of Sighs30m
4. Grand Canal2h
5. Venice Santa Lucia Station15m

Venice day trip from Rome

• Meet tour leader at Rome Termini
• Board high-speed train to Venice
• Walk to vaporetto stop
• Take waterbus ride in Venice
• Explore St. Mark’s Square and Basilica
• Visit Bridge of Sighs
• Wander Venice canals and bridges
• Enjoy Venetian aperitivo with tour leader
• Return to Venice Santa Lucia Station
• Take train back to Rome Termini

The experience

The train leaves Rome Termini in the morning and covers the 370 kilometers to Venice Santa Lucia in just over three hours. You'll watch the landscape shift from the Roman plains toward the Venetian lagoon, then step out onto the platform with your tour leader already waiting. From there, it's a short walk to the vaporetto stop (the waterbus ticket is included), and you board for a one-way ride through the Grand Canal, the main artery of the city. The water moves slower than you'd expect. The palaces and smaller boats and other passengers create a rhythm that makes the journey feel less like transport and more like arrival.

Once you're off the vaporetto, the city is yours to navigate. St. Mark's Basilica sits at the heart of Venice, its façade visible from the square, and the Bridge of Sighs (the enclosed limestone bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the old prisons) stands a few minutes' walk away. The alleys between them don't follow a grid. They twist and double back, which is partly the point. You're not on a guided walk through the highlights. You're loose in the maze with the freedom to linger at a bridge, duck into a smaller campo, or find a corner where fewer tourists stand. The city has over 400 bridges, each one a different shape and age, and you'll cross several without thinking about it.

Before the return train, you meet your tour leader again for a Venetian aperitivo: a cicchetto, the local word for a small drink and a bite, usually a glass of wine or a spritz with something to eat. It's a moment to pause and let the day settle before boarding the high-speed train back. You'll arrive at Rome Termini around 10:30 PM, having crossed the country twice and spent the afternoon in one of the few cities on earth that has no cars.

What’s included

• Roundtrip high-speed train tickets between Rome Termini and Venice Santa Lucia.
• one-way vaporetto waterbus ticket in Venice.
• tour leader to meet you at Rome Termini and guide check-ins at key points.
• self-guided exploration time at St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and Venice's canals and alleys.
• a Venetian aperitivo experience before your return journey.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour in English07:30Independent day trip to Venice from Rome by high-speed train

Tour in Spanish07:30Independent day trip to Venice from Rome by high-speed train

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to1d before

GroupUp to 25 · max 9 per booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Gray Line I Love Rome by Carrani Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Venice in a single day from Rome without arranging train tickets, waterbus passes and timing yourself: the fixed itinerary and tour leader handle the logistics so you can focus on the city itself.

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Top questions

How long is the train journey from Rome to Venice?

A little over 3 hours on the high-speed train from Rome Termini to Venice Santa Lucia.

Is the waterbus ticket included?

Yes, a one-way vaporetto waterbus ticket is included in the day trip.

What time do I return to Rome?

You arrive back at Rome Termini around 10:30 PM.

Is the tour guided the whole time in Venice?

No. You have self-guided exploration time to wander Venice's landmarks and alleys on your own. Your tour leader meets you at key points: arrival and before the return train.

What's included in the Venetian aperitivo?

A traditional cicchetto experience (a small drink and a bite) shared with your group before heading back to the station.

How many people travel on this day trip?

Groups have a maximum of 25 participants.

Do I need to book St. Mark's Basilica entry in advance?

Basilica entry is not included. You can visit the exterior and explore the square, or purchase entry separately if you wish.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions.